milliways_bar | (no subject)

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There have been some interesting things going on in Mexico City lately. The country's currency only just restabilized after he and Jorge Rubio managed to stop that counterfeiting ring, and now there's reports coming in from several of Santo's scientific friends of a mysterious set of rockets headed for the Moon, none of which are claimed by either the United States or the Russians-

Oh. Milliways.

Well, Santo needed a break anyway. Time to put on his Security badge and do a shift; people need to see the mask every once in a while.

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Oh, the shiny man has returned.

He grins from his place in the shadows.

WELCOME BACK, HUMAN.

The shiny man is, by and large, imperturbable; he glances up at the sound of the words in the back of his skull. "Ah. Buenos dias, Señor," he says with a nod. "My apologies for not being here more often. It's been a busy season."

There's something to appreciate about those who cannot be ruffled so easily.

Those who can stand up to him actually win his rarely-dispensed respect.

I SHOULD BE WONDERING WHAT IT WAS THAT OCCUPIES YOU SO MUCH.

"In part, the competition for heavyweight wrestling champion of Mexico," says Santo. "But part of it is also keeping in contact with friends of mine who believe we are on the verge of a great deal of trouble from space, and preparing for whatever might come our way. I have a number of obligations like that."

Wrestling. Yeah he's managed to catch some of that in the past. A very odd form of human entertainment, that.

TROUBLE FROM SPACE. INTRIGUING.

Wishing you were causing it, hombre?

"Not from Mars this time," Santo clarifies. He's had to deal with that before. "But the astronomers say something is going on on the surface of the Moon, and it's not natural at all."

NOT NATURAL?

What would human astronomers who have barely begun to understand how space works know what "natural" even is?

HAVE THEY SENT A MAN TO YOUR MOON YET?

This is a thing to ask. It helps determine where in the timeline things are.

"Not a volcano, or a meteor of some sort striking the Moon," says Santo. "And it did not quite look like the sort of crash the Martians' ships would cause, from what they tell me."

"But no, there have been no men on the Moon yet. Although the Americans are planning it, and probably the Russians."

Okay. Their understanding is primitive, but they seem to understand the rudimentaries. And it must be the 50s or the 60s if they are at present talking about plans to go to the moon.

NO MANNED CRAFT SENT, YET SOMEHOW THERE IS ACTIVITY ON A CELESTIAL OBJECT THAT HAS AN UNKNOWN CAUSE.

Hmmmm....

Santo nods. "There have been probes sent, with cameras and samplers," he says, "so this may be another of that kind. Perhaps some country's idea of a secret investigation- but it makes very little sense for them not to admit to doing something of that nature."

IF IT IS A SECRET INVESTIGATION THEY MAY NOT WANT OTHER HUMANS TO KNOW, FOR FEAR OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION BECOMING READILY AVAILABLE.

Oh god so paranoid!

Of course, he'd just snoop anyways. Secrets be damned.

"Perhaps," says Santo. "But there aren't many nations that can reach the Moon at all, and they tend to put it in all of the newspapers when they do. It may be something other than a country at work."

We've ruled out country, and possibly other non-human races.

I CAN SEE HOW THAT CAN PERPLEX MANY A PERSON, WHEN THE ANSWERS ARE NOT EASILY DETERMINED.

Well. It's not really his concern. Though watching the humans bicker and quarrel over what's going on on their planet's only natural satellite can be entertaining by itself.

Oh. Milliways. Santo's not the only one just finding the place at the moment.

The Knight is glad the winter's gone, but will be even gladder without the likes of Princess Tutu around. He could use a break from the fluff.

"Oh, Santo," he half-greets once he spots the luchador. "It's been some time. Good to see you again."

"Buenos dias," says Santo, raising a hand in greeting. "How have you been?"

"Highs and lows. Spring has finally arrived and with it some measure of peace. And you? Any new threats of otherworldly beings?"

"Perhaps," says Santo, "or possibly from Earth, headed out of this world. My friends among the professors of the sciences tell me they've seen signs of rocket fire headed for the Moon, but no nation on Earth has claimed credit for it yet, which is very strange."

"A rocket to the Moon? I've heard that there are people living there. In fact, I believe I've met one here. I wonder how they would take such a rocket."

"Not well, I think," says Santo. "Uninvited guests are seldom greeted easily."

"There are few exceptions, yes. Hopefully, they are not of the same era. The discussion was short, but I gathered that trying to figure out the Moon's year according to Earth was a lost cause.

"And I gather intention isn't known if no one is even sure of the source."

Santo nods. "I know my own year; I couldn't tell you what the moon people would say it was. But people who don't announce their intentions are either running from something, or planning trouble for others, or trying to hide even though no one is looking- at least, in my experience. So we shall have to see..."

"I do hope it goes well. Will you get involved if it's another country's doing?"

"If it threatens Mexico directly, yes," says Santo. "If it's only a matter of one of the other world powers threatening its enemy, I will have to wait and watch. I leave the bigger games of politics to the politicians, unless I have to do otherwise, of course."

"On orders? Or on common sense for the last?"

"On a sense of obligation, mostly," says Santo. "Or sometimes in answer to a request from people I trust, or who are in need."

Lohengrin nods. Santo's world is lucky to have him.

And Milliways, though it's only now that the Knight has had a chance to notice the Security badge.

"By the by, what is that crest you are wearing? I don't recall you having it before."

"This?" Santo indicates the badge. "I have a part-time job here, as it happens. The young lady, Señorita Fray, who sees to the security team here hired me to help oversee the place and make sure no one causes too much trouble."

"A tavern that has its own security? I suppose it makes sense, this place being what it is."

Not to mention he's lucky he didn't run afoul them with the duel incident, even if that did happen on the grounds.

"Si. There are any number of patrons here who may or may not obey the rules, so someone has to make certain those rules are enforced," says Santo. "some people are more equipped to do it than others."

"It's practically its own country. At least the only politics to worry about are the tavern's alone."

But now that he's said that, he wonders.

"There's not another place like this, is there?"

"If there is, I haven't heard of it," says Santo with a bit of a smile. "But I haven't been coming here that long."

"Nor have I."

Actually, how long has he been coming here? Two years? Less? Longer?

"Though I'm starting to think time has a way of slipping out of thought here. The physical nature of staying at this place aside, I mean."

"It wouldn't surprise me," says Santo. "It seems like less of a priority, in a place this strange."

"....I just realized I've said this about a tavern. That's sort of what they're built for, isn't it?"

"Mostly," Santo agrees. "That and gambling, I think."

"For a 'den of vice,' it doesn't seem so bad."

Existential issues aside.

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